U.S. patent number 11,312,934 [Application Number 16/958,729] was granted by the patent office on 2022-04-26 for piezoelectric ultrasonic microinjection device based on flexible hinge mechanism.
This patent grant is currently assigned to SOOCHOW UNIVERSITY. The grantee listed for this patent is SOOCHOW UNIVERSITY. Invention is credited to Lingfeng Chang, Liguo Chen, Xiwei Gao, Hao Guo, Haibo Huang, Jizhu Liu, Lining Sun, Yangjun Wang, Fei Zhou.
United States Patent |
11,312,934 |
Huang , et al. |
April 26, 2022 |
Piezoelectric ultrasonic microinjection device based on flexible
hinge mechanism
Abstract
The present invention discloses a piezoelectric ultrasonic
microinjection device based on a flexible hinge mechanism. The
device includes: a cover, a flexible hinge mechanism, a base, a
screw cap and an end cap fixedly assembled together, the base being
provided with a pump interface; and a micropipette fixedly mounted
in the base, the screw cap and the end cap and extending outward,
the micropipette being in communication with the pump interface;
wherein the flexible hinge mechanism comprises a housing, a
piezoelectric ceramic package module encapsulated in the housing, a
central shaft fixedly mounted with the piezoelectric ceramic
package module and the base, and a vibration output shaft extending
from the piezoelectric ceramic package module into the central
shaft, a plurality of flexible hinge beams being disposed between
the central shaft and the housing.
Inventors: |
Huang; Haibo (Suzhou,
CN), Gao; Xiwei (Suzhou, CN), Chen;
Liguo (Suzhou, CN), Zhou; Fei (Suzhou,
CN), Guo; Hao (Suzhou, CN), Chang;
Lingfeng (Suzhou, CN), Liu; Jizhu (Suzhou,
CN), Wang; Yangjun (Suzhou, CN), Sun;
Lining (Suzhou, CN) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SOOCHOW UNIVERSITY |
Suzhou |
N/A |
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
SOOCHOW UNIVERSITY (Suzhou,
CN)
|
Family
ID: |
1000006267575 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/958,729 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2018 |
PCT
Filed: |
May 22, 2018 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/CN2018/087759 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
June 28, 2020 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2019/218379 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
November 21, 2019 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20200332244 A1 |
Oct 22, 2020 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
May 14, 2018 [CN] |
|
|
201810454388.0 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C12M
23/38 (20130101); B01L 3/021 (20130101); C12M
23/16 (20130101); C12M 23/26 (20130101); C12M
35/04 (20130101); B01L 2300/123 (20130101); B01L
2300/042 (20130101); B01L 2400/0475 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
C12M
1/42 (20060101); B01L 3/02 (20060101); C12M
3/06 (20060101); C12M 1/00 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
102268360 |
|
Dec 2011 |
|
CN |
|
102268363 |
|
Dec 2011 |
|
CN |
|
104109629 |
|
Oct 2014 |
|
CN |
|
102018103049 |
|
Aug 2019 |
|
DE |
|
2017330 |
|
Aug 2010 |
|
EP |
|
2008046051 |
|
Apr 2008 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
Machine Translation of CN104109629 (Year: 2021). cited by examiner
.
Machine Translation of DE10 2018103049 from WIPO, downloaded Nov.
2021 (Year: 2021). cited by examiner.
|
Primary Examiner: Beisner; William H.
Assistant Examiner: Henkel; Danielle B
Attorney, Agent or Firm: SZDC Law P.C.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A piezoelectric ultrasonic microinjection device based on a
flexible hinge mechanism, the device comprising: a cover, a
flexible hinge mechanism, a base, a screw cap and an end cap
fixedly assembled together, the base being provided with a pump
interface; and a micropipette fixedly mounted in the base, the
screw cap and the end cap and extending outward, the micropipette
being in communication with the pump interface; wherein the
flexible hinge mechanism comprises a housing, a piezoelectric
ceramic package module encapsulated in the housing, a central shaft
fixedly mounted with the piezoelectric ceramic package module and
the base, and a vibration output shaft extending from the
piezoelectric ceramic package module into the central shaft, a
plurality of flexible hinge beams being disposed between the
central shaft and the housing; wherein the end cap and the screw
cap as well as the screw cap and the base are respectively fixedly
mounted to each other through a thread; wherein the base comprises
a bent section fixedly mounted to the screw cap, and a horizontal
section fixedly mounted with the flexible hinge mechanism, the bent
section and the horizontal section being respectively fixedly
mounted to the screw cap and the flexible hinge mechanism through a
thread; wherein an end of the horizontal section is provided with a
first flange, and a plurality of first reinforcing ribs is provided
between the first flange and the horizontal section; and wherein
the central shaft of the flexible hinge mechanism is provided with
a second flange, and a plurality of second reinforcing ribs is
provided between the second flange and the central shaft.
2. The piezoelectric ultrasonic microinjection device based on a
flexible hinge mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a gasket is
disposed between the end cap and the screw cap and/or between the
screw cap and the base, and two sides of the gasket are different
first and second tapered faces.
3. The piezoelectric ultrasonic microinjection device based on a
flexible hinge mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the end cap
comprises an end cap body and an end cap mounting portion, an outer
diameter of the end cap body being greater than that of the end cap
mounting portion, and an outer side of the end cap mounting portion
being provided with a first thread, the first thread being adapted
for fixedly mounting the end cap mounting portion to the screw
cap.
4. The piezoelectric ultrasonic microinjection device based on a
flexible hinge mechanism according to claim 3, wherein a first
cavity and a second cavity are formed in the end cap in a direction
from the end cap body toward the end cap mounting portion, the
second cavity being tapered.
5. The piezoelectric ultrasonic microinjection device based on a
flexible hinge mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the screw
cap comprises a screw cap body and a screw cap mounting portion, an
outer diameter of the screw cap body being greater than that of the
screw cap mounting portion, an inner side of the screw cap body
being provided with a second thread fixedly mounted to the end cap,
and an outer side of the screw cap mounting portion being provided
with a third thread fixedly mounted to the base.
6. The piezoelectric ultrasonic microinjection device based on a
flexible hinge mechanism according to claim 5, wherein a third
cavity, a fourth cavity and a fifth cavity are formed in the screw
cap in a direction from the screw cap body to the screw cap
mounting portion, the fifth cavity being tapered.
7. The piezoelectric ultrasonic microinjection device based on a
flexible hinge mechanism according to claim 1, wherein an inner
side of the bent section is provided with a fourth thread fixedly
mounted to the screw cap.
8. The piezoelectric ultrasonic microinjection device based on a
flexible hinge mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a sixth
cavity and a seventh cavity are provided in the bent section, and
an eighth cavity is provided in the horizontal section, the seventh
cavity being tapered, and the sixth cavity being in communication
with the pump interface through the seventh cavity and a micro flow
channel.
9. The piezoelectric ultrasonic microinjection device based on a
flexible hinge mechanism according to claim 1, wherein an inner
side of the horizontal section is provided with a fifth thread, an
outer side of an end of the central shaft of the flexible hinge
mechanism is provided with a sixth thread, and the base and the
flexible hinge mechanism are fixedly mounted through the fifth
thread and the sixth thread.
10. The piezoelectric ultrasonic microinjection device based on a
flexible hinge mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the flexible
hinge beams are provided with a plurality of V-shaped recesses.
11. The piezoelectric ultrasonic microinjection device based on a
flexible hinge mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the flexible
hinge beams are distributed in a circumferential array with an
equal angle of 120.degree. centered on the central shaft, and the
flexible hinge beams in each direction are distributed in a
parallel linear array of equidistant double flexible hinge beams at
a certain distance in the axial direction.
12. The piezoelectric ultrasonic microinjection device based on a
flexible hinge mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the central
shaft is provided with a mounting hole, and a screw is fixedly
mounted in the mounting hole to fix the central shaft and the
vibration output shaft.
Description
This application is the National Stage Application of
PCT/CN2018/087759, filed on May 22, 2018, which claims priority to
Chinese Patent Application No.: 201810454388.0, filed on May 14,
2018, which is incorporated by reference for all purposes as if
fully set forth herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to the field of microinjection
technology, in particular to a piezoelectric ultrasonic
microinjection device based on a flexible hinge mechanism.
BACKGROUND
With the rapid development of biotechnology, microinjection
technology has become an important means of cell engineering
research such as transgenic injection, cloning technology,
artificial assisted reproductive technology. Membrane rupture
technology is the key technology of microinjection. When rupturing
the membrane, the micropipette penetrates into the cell body, and
then completes the corresponding injection tasks, such as foreign
gene injection and nuclear transplantation. During the
microinjection, the accuracy of the injection device directly
affects the activity of the injected cells.
The piezoelectric rupture membrane injection method has been widely
used in cell microinjection operations as a technique for cell
micro-deformation and high injection success rate . However, the
traditional piezoelectric injection device has the defects of large
harmful vibration, which greatly affects the cell survival rate. In
addition, the clamping device of the traditional micro-injector has
poor sealing performance, and most of them adopt spiral seal or
ordinary flat gasket seal. Under the ultrasonic excitation of
piezoelectric ceramic, "gas leakage" and "liquid leakage"
phenomenon are easy to occur, resulting in errors or pollution
during experiment, which reduces the success rate of the
experiment.
Therefore, in view of the above technical problems, it is necessary
to provide a piezoelectric ultrasonic microinjection device based
on a flexible hinge mechanism.
SUMMARY
In view of this, an object of the present invention is to provide a
piezoelectric ultrasonic microinjection device based on a flexible
hinge mechanism, which can effectively inhibit the harmful radial
vibration of the micropipette tip during the microinjection
operation, reduce the cell damage, improve injection success rate
and greatly improve the sealing property of the device.
In order to achieve the above object, the technical solution
provided by an embodiment of the present invention is as
follows:
A piezoelectric ultrasonic microinjection device based on a
flexible hinge mechanism, the device comprising:
a cover, a flexible hinge mechanism, a base, a screw cap and an end
cap fixedly assembled together, the base being provided with a pump
interface; and
a micropipette fixedly mounted in the base, the screw cap and the
end cap and extending outward, the micropipette being in
communication with the pump interface;
wherein the flexible hinge mechanism comprises a housing, a
piezoelectric ceramic package module encapsulated in the housing, a
central shaft fixedly mounted with the piezoelectric ceramic
package module and the base, and a vibration output shaft extending
from the piezoelectric ceramic package module into the central
shaft, a plurality of flexible hinge beams being disposed between
the central shaft and the housing.
As a further improvement of the present invention, the end cap and
the screw cap as well as the screw cap and the base are
respectively fixedly mounted to each other through a thread.
As a further improvement of the present invention, a gasket is
disposed between the end cap and the screw cap and/or between the
screw cap and the base, and two sides of the gasket are different
first and second tapered faces.
As a further improvement of the present invention, the end cap
comprises an end cap body and an end cap mounting portion, an outer
diameter of the end cap body being greater than that of the end cap
mounting portion, and an outer side of the end cap mounting portion
being provided with a first thread fixedly mounted to the screw
cap.
As a further improvement of the present invention, a first cavity
and a second cavity are formed in the end cap in a direction from
the end cap body toward the end cap mounting portion, the second
cavity being tapered.
As a further improvement of the present invention, the screw cap
comprises a screw cap body and a screw cap mounting portion, an
outer diameter of the screw cap body being greater than that of the
screw cap mounting portion, an inner side of the screw cap body
being provided with a second thread fixedly mounted to the end cap,
and an outer side of the screw cap mounting portion being provided
with a third thread fixedly mounted to the base.
As a further improvement of the present invention, a third cavity,
a fourth cavity and a fifth cavity are formed in the screw cap in a
direction from the screw cap body to the screw cap mounting
portion, the fifth cavity being tapered.
As a further improvement of the present invention, the base
comprises a bent section fixedly mounted to the screw cap, and a
horizontal section fixedly mounted with the flexible hinge
mechanism, the bent section and the horizontal section being
respectively fixedly mounted to the screw cap and the flexible
hinge mechanism through a thread.
As a further improvement of the present invention, an inner side of
the bent section is provided with a fourth thread fixedly mounted
to the screw cap.
As a further improvement of the present invention, a sixth cavity
and a seventh cavity are provided in the bent section, and an
eighth cavity is provided in the horizontal section, the seventh
cavity being tapered, and the sixth cavity being in communication
with the pump interface through the seventh cavity and a micro flow
channel.
As a further improvement of the present invention, an inner side of
the horizontal section is provided with a fifth thread, an outer
side of an end of the central shaft of the flexible hinge mechanism
is provided with a sixth thread, and the base and the flexible
hinge mechanism are fixedly mounted through the fifth thread and
the sixth thread.
As a further improvement of the present invention, an end of the
horizontal section is provided with a first flange, and a plurality
of first reinforcing ribs is provided between the first flange and
the horizontal section.
As a further improvement of the present invention, the central
shaft of the flexible hinge mechanism is provided with a second
flange, and a plurality of second reinforcing ribs is provided
between the second flange and the central shaft.
As a further improvement of the present invention, the flexible
hinge beam is provided with a plurality of V-shaped recesses.
As a further improvement of the present invention, the flexible
hinge beam is distributed in an circumferential array with an equal
angle of 120 [deg.] centered on the central shaft, and the flexible
hinge beam in each direction is distributed in a parallel linear
array of equidistant double flexible hinge beams at a certain
distance in the axial direction.
As a further improvement of the present invention, the central
shaft is provided with a mounting hole, and a screw is fixedly
mounted in the mounting hole to fix the central shaft and the
vibration output shaft.
The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:
aiming at the harmful radial vibration transmitted by the
piezoelectric ceramic package module to the micropipette tip, a
three-dimensional flexible hinge mechanism is designed for the
piezoelectric ceramic package module, which can effectively filter
and buffer the radial harmful vibration of the vibration output
shaft while maintaining a high energy transmission efficiency,
thereby reducing lateral harmful vibrations of the micropipette
tip;
the double-tapered face shaped gasket self-sealing mechanism
effectively realizes the functions of air sealing and liquid
sealing, and the mechanism has better clamping and stabilizing
effect on the micropipette; and
the "flexible hinge mechanism-base" ultrasonic energy transfer
connection is optimized, that is, the design of flange surface
contact and the reinforcing rib greatly reduces the overall quality
of the mechanism and improves the energy transfer efficiency of
piezoelectric ceramics without impairing the overall strength and
function of the micropipette.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the
embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings
used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be
briefly described below. Obviously, the drawings in the following
description are only a few embodiments described in the present
invention, and other drawings can be obtained from those skilled in
the art without any inventive effort.
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a piezoelectric
ultrasonic microinjection device according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a piezoelectric ultrasonic
microinjection device according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional structural view of a
piezoelectric ultrasonic microinjection device according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of an end cap according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional structural view of an end cap
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a screw cap according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional structural view of a screw
cap according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a base according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional structural view of a base
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10a is a schematic perspective view of a gasket in an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10b is a cross-sectional structural view of a gasket in an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11a is a schematic perspective view of a flexible hinge
mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11b is a front elevational view of a flexible hinge mechanism
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a schematic view of an assembly structure of a flexible
hinge mechanism according to an embodiment of the present
invention; and
FIG. 13 is another schematic view of an assembly structure of a
flexible hinge mechanism according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In order to make those skilled in the art better understand the
technical solutions in the present invention, the technical
solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be
clearly and completely described in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention.
The embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present
invention, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments
obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of
the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within
the scope of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 11a, FIG. 11b, FIG. 12 and FIG.
13, a specific embodiment of the present invention discloses a
piezoelectric ultrasonic microinjection device based on a flexible
hinge mechanism, which mainly includes a micropipette clamping and
self-sealing module, a flexible hinge filtering mechanism and an
energy transmission mechanism, and specifically includes:
a cover 10, a flexible hinge mechanism 20, a base 30, a screw cap
40 and an end cap 50 fixedly assembled together, the base 30 being
provided with a pump interface 35; and
a micropipette 60 fixedly mounted in the base, the screw cap and
the end cap and extending outward, the micropipette 60 being in
communication with the pump interface 35;
wherein the flexible hinge mechanism 20 includes a housing 21, a
piezoelectric ceramic package module 22 encapsulated in the
housing, a central shaft 23 fixedly mounted to the piezoelectric
ceramic package module and the base, and a vibration output shaft
24 extending from the piezoelectric ceramic package module 22 into
the central shaft 23, a plurality of flexible hinge beams 25 being
disposed between the central shaft 23 and the housing 21.
In this embodiment, the end cap 50 and the screw cap 40 as well as
the screw cap 40 and the base 30 are respectively fixedly mounted
to each other through a thread.
As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, the end cap 50 includes an end cap
body 51 and an end cap mounting portion 52. An outer diameter of
the end cap body 51 is greater than that of the end cap mounting
portion 52. An outer side of the end cap mounting portion 52 is
provided with a first thread 521 fixedly mounted with the screw
cap. A first cavity 501 and a second cavity 502 are formed in the
end cap 50 in a direction from the end cap body 51 toward the end
cap mounting portion 52. The second cavity 502 is tapered.
Specifically, the end cap 50 in the embodiment is a second-order
stepped shaft-shaped part, and is provided with an external thread
on one side of a small cylindrical surface, a tapered face hole on
an end face of the small cylindrical surface, and a fully through
glossy face hole at a central axis which passes through the entire
part, with an inner diameter of 1.2 mm slightly greater than the
outer diameter of the micropipette 60 which is 1 mm for the purpose
of facilitating the mounting of the micropipette.
As shown in FIGS. 1-3, 6, and 7, the screw cap 40 includes a screw
cap body 41 and a screw cap mounting portion 42. An outer diameter
of the screw cap body 41 is greater than that of the screw cap
mounting portion 42. An inner side of the screw cap body 41 is
provided with a second thread 411 fixedly mounted to the end cap
50. An outer side of the screw cap mounting portion 42 is provided
with a third thread 421 fixedly mounted to the base 30. A third
cavity 401, a fourth cavity 402, and a fifth cavity 403 are formed
in the screw cap 40 in a direction from the screw cap body to the
screw cap mounting portion. The fifth cavity 403 is tapered.
Specifically, in this embodiment, the screw cap 40 is matched with
the end cap 50. The screw cap 40 is also a second-step stepped
shaft-shaped part. A large-diameter end of the screw cap 40 is
provided with an internal thread matched with the end cap 50 with a
thread length slightly less than that of an external thread of the
end cap 50 in order to fully screw the end cap 50 into the internal
thread of the screw cap 40. As shown in FIG. 7, an end face of the
internal thread of the screw cap 40 is provided with a tapered face
hole surface with a large diameter being the outer diameter of the
internal thread. An outer cylindrical surface of the other end
(small diameter) of the screw cap 40 is provided with an external
thread with a size parameter being the same as that of the external
thread of the end cap 50. In addition, similar to the design of the
end cap 50, the screw cap 40 is provided with a tapered face hole
at an end face of the external thread with a size parameter being
the same as that of the tapered face hole of the end cap 50. At the
same time, for the through mounting of the micropipette 60, a
through hole having an inner diameter of 1.2 mm is also formed in
the central shaft.
As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 6-9, the base 30 includes a bent section
31 fixedly mounted to the screw cap 40, and a horizontal section 32
fixedly mounted to the flexible hinge mechanism 20. The bent
section 31 and the horizontal section 32 are respectively fixedly
mounted to the screw cap and the flexible hinge mechanism through a
thread.
A fourth thread (not shown) fixedly mounted to the screw cap is
disposed on an inner side of the bent section 31. A sixth cavity
3011 and a seventh cavity 3012 are disposed in the bent section 31.
An eighth cavity 304 is disposed in the horizontal section 32. The
seventh cavity 3012 is tapered. The sixth cavity 3011 is in
communication with the pump interface 35 through the seventh cavity
3012 and a micro flow channel 302.
An inner side of the horizontal section 32 is provided with a fifth
thread (not shown). An outer side of an end of the central shaft of
the flexible hinge mechanism 20 is provided with a sixth thread.
The base 30 and the flexible hinge mechanism 20 are fixedly mounted
by the fifth thread and the sixth thread.
In addition, an end of the horizontal section 32 is provided with a
first flange 33. A plurality of first reinforcing ribs 34 is
disposed between the first flange 33 and the horizontal section
32.
Specifically, the base 30 is divided into two sections, and is
divided into a bent section 31 and a horizontal section 32 during
mounting. The bent section 31 is provided with an internal thread
matched with the external thread of the screw cap 40 with a thread
length slightly smaller than that of the external thread of the
screw cap 40, in order to completely screw the screw cap 40 into an
internal thread of the base 30. Similarly, a tapered face hole is
formed at an end face of the internal thread in the base 30 with a
size being the same as that of the tapered face hole at the end
face of the internal thread of the screw cap 40. In addition, as
shown in FIG. 9, a microchannel 302 is provided in the horizontal
section 32 extending from the pump interface 35 at the upper end to
the end face of the internal thread of the bent section 32. As
shown in FIG. 3, an end face of the horizontal section of the base
30 is provided with an internal thread matched with the external
thread of the central shaft of the flexible hinge mechanism 20. The
flexible hinge mechanism 20 filters and buffers the ultrasonic
energy generated by the piezoelectric ceramic package module 22
through the flexible hinge and transmits it to the base 30 through
the vibration output shaft 24.
Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 10a, and FIG. 10b, a gasket 80 is
disposed between the end cap 50 and the screw cap 40 and between
the screw cap 40 and the base 30. Two sides of the gasket 80 are
different first tapered face 81 and second tapered face 82.
Specifically, two ends of the gasket 80 are both tapered faces
which are divided into a first tapered face 81 and a second tapered
face 82. The gasket 80 has a through hole at a central axis the
size of which is exactly the outer diameter of the micropipette 60.
During assembly, the gasket 80 is first mounted into the tapered
face hole at the bottom of the internal thread of the base 30, the
first tapered face 81 is matched with the tapered face hole of the
base 30, and then the screw cap 40 is screwed but not tightened.
Similarly, a gasket 80 is placed at the bottom of the internal
thread of the screw cap 40, the first tapered face 81 of the gasket
80 is matched therewith, and then the end cap 50 is screwed but not
tightened. Finally, the micropipette 60 is adjusted to be properly
inserted from the end face hole of the first tapered face 81 of the
end cap 50 until the end face of the micropipette 60 is brought to
the position of the microchannel 302 of the base 30 to stop.
Finally, the screw cap 40 and the end cap 50 are tightened at the
same time until they are screwed to the limit position and cannot
rotate any more. The second tapered face 82 of the gasket 80 is
matched with the tapered face hole at the end face of the external
thread of the screw cap 40. The tapered face of the gasket 80 is
slightly greater in size than the matched tapered face hole.
The design purpose of the gasket 80 is as follows: in the process
of screwing the end cap 50 into the internal threaded hole of the
screw cap 40, due to the elastic deformation characteristic of the
gasket 80, the first tapered face 81 of the gasket 80 is subjected
to a tightening force to press the wall of the tapered face hole at
the bottom of the internal thread of the base 30, and at the same
time, the gasket 80 is subjected to a reaction force so that the
second tapered face 82 of the gasket 80 presses the wall of the
tapered face hole at the external thread of the screw cap 40,
thereby achieving a self-sealing effect.
In addition, since the tapered face of the gasket 80 is subjected
to a tightening force, when mechanically decomposed, due to the
stress of the tapered face, a radial force is generated on the
surface of the micropipette wall of the micropipette 60, so that
the inner cylindrical hole wall of the gasket 80 and the outer
cylindrical surface of the micropipette 60 achieves an automatic
sealing effect during the tightening process. When the experimenter
tightens the screw cap 40, the gasket 80 reaches the limit of
elastic deformation, thereby pressing the inner wall, and forming a
multi-directional multi-angle self-sealing environment through the
surface contact. Similarly, during the process of screwing the end
cap 50 into the internal thread of the screw cap 40, the first
tapered face 81 of the gasket 80 also presses the wall of the
tapered face hole at the bottom of the internal threaded hole in
the screw cap 40. At the same time, due to being subjected to a
reaction force, the second tapered face 82 of the gasket 80 presses
the tapered face hole of the end face of the external thread of the
end cap 50, and the inner hole wall of the gasket 80 presses the
outer wall of the micropipette 60 to achieve a self-sealing
effect.
As shown in FIG. 3, since the micropipette 60 needs to perform
micromanipulation under the high frequency vibration of the
piezoelectric ceramic package module 22 when rupturing the cell,
the two-point supporting design of the micropipette 60 for clamping
can effectively avoid the radial vibration of the micropipette 60,
and can transmit the axial vibration transmitted by the vibration
output shaft 24 of the flexible hinge mechanism more efficiently.
In addition, since the gasket 80 and the micropipette 60 are in
surface contact herein, compared with the conventional point
contact and hard contact, the design of the gasket 80 can better
fix and clamp the micropipette 60 and prevent the micropipette 60
and the clamping mechanism from relative displacement, thereby
reducing the mechanical wear between the micropipette 60 and the
clamping screw cap 40, the base 30 and the end cap 50. Therefore,
the design of the gasket 80 being matched with the corresponding
base 30, the screw cap 40, and the tapered face hole of the end cap
50 not only can achieve a better sealing effect, but also has a
more stable and firm clamping and fixing of the micropipette 60.
Problems such as "radial rotation" and "axial slip" of the
micropipette 60 will not occur during use.
Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 8, FIG. 11a, FIG. 11b, and FIG. 12, a
first flange 33 is disposed on the end face of the horizontal
section 32 of the base 30. A second flange 26 is disposed on the
central shaft 23 of the flexible hinge mechanism 20. The first
flange 33 and the second flange 26 are correspondingly disposed.
The second flange 26 is provided with a threaded hole at the end
face thereof which is exactly the same as the outer circle diameter
of the end face of the central shaft 23 of the flexible hinge
mechanism and matched with the external thread section of the
central shaft 23 of the flexible hinge structure. During the actual
assembly process, the central shaft 23 of the flexible hinge
mechanism is completely screwed into the internal threaded hole of
the end face of the first flange 33 of the base 30 until the end
face of the central shaft 23 of the flexible hinge mechanism 20 is
matched with the end face of first flange 33 of the horizontal
section of the base 30 to achieve surface contact.
As shown in FIG. 8, a first rib is sequentially disposed in the "3
o'clock", "6 o'clock", "9 o'clock", and "12 o'clock" directions
between the first flange 33 and the outer cylinder of the
horizontal section of the base 30. The purpose is to enhance the
structural strength of the base 30 when the vibration output shaft
24 of the flexible hinge mechanism 20 transmits the high frequency
vibration to the base 30 through the central shaft 23, and at the
same time, to reduce its own weight and improve the energy transfer
efficiency.
As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 11a, FIG. 11b and FIG. 12, the flexible
hinge mechanism 20 is a single piece. The housing 21 is a
cylindrical housing. The central shaft 23 and the inner wall of the
housing 21 are connected by a flexible hinge beam 25. The flexible
hinge beam 25 is a "V" type flexible hinge beam provided with a
plurality of V-shaped recesses. The flexible hinge beam is
distributed in a circumferential array with an equal angle of
120.degree. at positions of 0.degree., 120.degree., 240.degree. in
the end face direction centered on the central shaft 23, and the
flexible beams in each direction are distributed in a parallel
linear array of equidistant double flexible hinge beams at a
certain distance in the axial direction. Therefore, a total of six
flexible hinge beams 25 are connected to the housing 21 on the
center shaft 23.
Through theoretical calculation and finite element analysis, the
"V" type flexible hinge beam design has the best axial vibration
transmission efficiency, and the filtering effect on the radial
residual vibration is also the best. A threaded hole is provided at
the end face of the center shaft 23 to be matched with the external
thread of the vibration output shaft 24 of the piezoelectric
ceramic package module 22. In addition, in order to strengthen the
strength between the central shaft 23 and the vibration output
shaft 24 of the piezoelectric ceramic package module, and to ensure
the transmission efficiency of the ultrasonic vibration energy, a
plurality of second reinforcing ribs 27 is provided between the
second flange 26 and the center shaft 23 which is in the middle of
three flexible hinge beams 25, and is also distributed in an array
of 120.degree. centered on the axis. In the process of transmitting
the ultrasonic vibration into the central shaft 23 of the flexible
hinge mechanism 20 by the piezoelectric ceramic package module 22
through the vibration output shaft 24, in order to avoid loosening
of the screw connection between the two under high frequency
vibration, the cylindrical surface of the central shaft 23 of the
flexible hinge mechanism 20 is provided with a threaded through
hole. When the threaded section of the vibration output shaft 24 of
the piezoelectric ceramic package module 22 is completely screwed
into the threaded hole of the end face of the flexible hinge
mechanism center shaft 23, the connection between the central shaft
23 and the vibration output shaft 24 is strengthened and prevented
from loosening by screwing a set screw 28.
As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the cover 10 is a
second-order stepped shaft part. An external thread (not shown) is
provided at a small diameter section of the cover 10. A glossy face
through hole is provided at a large-diameter end face of the cover
10. The extremity of the inner wall of the end of the flexible
hinge mechanism 20 is provided with an internal thread at a
corresponding position which is matched with the external thread at
the small shaft end of the cover 10. A fixing rod 70 is also a
second-order stepped shaft part, which is provided with an external
thread at the cylindrical surface of the small-shaft diameter
section of the end face.
The assembly process of the flexible hinge mechanism 20, the
piezoelectric ceramic package module 22, the cover 10, the fixing
rod 70, and the set screw 28 is as follows: firstly the vibration
output shaft 24 of the piezoelectric ceramic package module 22 is
screwed into the threaded hole at the end face of the central shaft
23 of the flexible hinge mechanism 20, the set screw 28 is then
screwed into a mounting hole 231 on the cylindrical surface of the
central shaft 23, so that the head of the set screw 28 abuts
against the external thread surface of the vibration output shaft
24, thereby relaxing and reinforcing. The external thread of the
small shaft end of the cover 10 is then matched with the internal
thread at the end face of the flexible hinge mechanism 20. Next,
the small shaft end of the fixing rod 70 is inserted into the
glossy face through hole of the large shaft end face of the cover
10, and the external thread of the small shaft end of the fixing
rod 70 is screwed into the internal thread at the end face of the
tail of the piezoelectric ceramic package module 22. Finally, by
continuously tightening the fixing rod 70, the end face of the tail
of the piezoelectric ceramic package module 22 and the end face of
the small diameter section of the cover 10 are continuously fitted
and tightened, and the piezoelectric ceramic package module 22 is
also driven to rotate, so that the vibration output shaft 24 of the
piezoelectric ceramic package module 22 is continuously tightened
and fixed with the threaded hole of the central shaft 23 of the
flexible hinge mechanism 20, and the end face of the stepped shaft
of the fixing rod 70 and the end face of the large shaft diameter
section of the cover 10 are tightly fitted, thereby realizing the
assembly and fastening process of the piezoelectric ceramic package
module 22, the fixing rod. 70, the cover 10 and the flexible hinge
mechanism housing 21.
The working principle of the piezoelectric ultrasonic
microinjection device based on a flexible hinge mechanism in the
present invention is as follows:
The fixed rod 70 is fixed to the frame and remains absolutely
stationary relative to the static ground. The end face thread of
the head of the fixing rod 70 is screwed through the through hole
of the cover 10 into the threaded hole of the end face of the
piezoelectric ceramic package module 22, and the cover 10, the
piezoelectric ceramic package module 22 and the fixing rod 70 are
fixed by screwing. Moreover, the flexible hinge mechanism housing
21 is also fixed to the cover 10 by a screw connection, so the
flexible hinge mechanism housing 21, the cover 10, the fixing rod
70, and the piezoelectric ceramic package module 22 are all fixed
ends. After the piezoelectric ceramic package module 22 is
connected to a power source, the vibration output shaft 24
generates high-frequency vibration, and the vibration is
transmitted into the central shaft 23 of the flexible hinge
mechanism 20 through the screw connection between the vibration
output shaft 24 and the center shaft 23. Since the piezoelectric
ceramic package module 22 generates a small amount of irregular
radial vibration during actual motion, if the energy is directly
transmitted to the base 30 without any filtering and buffering, the
radial residual vibration will be amplified to a large lateral
vibration of the micropipette tip of the micropipette 60 after
being transported over a long distance to the micropipette tip,
which is conducive to cell microinjection and membrane rupture. In
the V-shaped flexible hinge beam, the central shaft can only be
displaced along the axial direction due to the restraining action
of the three-way flexible hinge, and any radial residual vibration
will be absorbed by the three-way flexible hinge beam. Therefore,
the central shaft, the ribs, the flanges and the output shaft of
the flexible hinge mechanism are integral, all of which are movable
ends, and the whole is linearly high-frequency reciprocating with
respect to the fixed end section (stationary reference). The
central shaft finally transmits the filtered ultrasonic vibration
energy to the vibration output shaft, and finally transmits the
vibration energy to the base through the screw connection of the
vibration output shaft and the base.
It can be seen from the above technical solutions that the present
invention has the following beneficial effects:
aiming at the harmful radial vibration transmitted by the
piezoelectric ceramic package module to the micropipette tip, a
three-dimensional flexible hinge mechanism is designed for the
piezoelectric ceramic package module, which can effectively filter
and buffer the radial harmful vibration of the vibration output
shaft while maintaining a high energy transmission efficiency,
thereby reducing lateral harmful vibrations of the micropipette
tip;
the double-tapered face shaped gasket self-sealing mechanism
effectively realizes the functions of air sealing and liquid
sealing, and the mechanism has better clamping and stabilizing
effect on the micropipette; and
the "flexible hinge mechanism-base" ultrasonic energy transfer
connection is optimized, that is, the design of flange surface
contact and the reinforcing rib greatly reduces the overall quality
of the mechanism and improves the energy transfer efficiency of
piezoelectric ceramics without impairing the overall strength and
function of the micropipette.
Therefore, the present invention can meet bioengineering
micromanipulation experiments of different needs, such as: nuclear
transfer, single sperm injection, transgenic injection, and the
like. At the same time, because the micropipette clamping section
adopts a reinforcing rib design, the overall quality of the
micropipette is greatly reduced, and the three-dimensional flexible
hinge mechanism is adopted to effectively reduce the radial
vibration of the micropipette tip caused by the piezoelectric
ceramic, thereby effectively alleviating the mechanical damage
caused by injection to the cells and improve the success rate of
the experiment. At the same time, the present invention has the
advantages of simple structure, good interchangeability of
components, easy assembly, and relatively low processing cost,
which simplifies the experimental cost and complexity of the
microinjection experiment operation.
It is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present
invention is not limited to the details of the above-described
exemplary embodiments, and the present invention can be embodied in
other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential
characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the present
embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not
restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is defined by
the appended claims instead of the above description. All changes
falling within the meaning and scope of equivalent elements of the
claims are included in the present invention. Any reference signs
in the claims should not be construed as limiting the claim.
In addition, it should be understood that although the description
is described in terms of embodiments, not every embodiment includes
only one independent technical solution. The narration of the
specification is merely for the sake of clarity, and those skilled
in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The
technical solutions in the respective embodiments may also be
combined as appropriate to form other embodiments that can be
understood by those skilled in the art.
* * * * *